Programs and Services

Live Hands-on Workshops

PETAL et al. holds compelling and captivating live hands-on workshops and training programs for pre-teens and adults in the Chicagoland and NWI area. Contact us about bringing a workshop to your library, school or event. Your student participants will love it!
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STEAM (STEM) Education

PETAL et al. focuses on providing programs and workshops that make learning STEAM/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) fun! Our training programs are customized to deliver what you want your students to know.
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On Demand Online Training

PETAL et al. knows that some of you may not be able to get out and take advantage of our workshops and sign on for internships, so we have produced some online video tutorials created by our talented interns. Click the following link to visit our on-demand learning site.
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Immersive Learning Programs

PETAL et al. provides a platform that empowers its participants with an immersive team learning environment and project-based skills training to take their education further once they have completed our 4-month intensive learning program. Our students really enjoy these.
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Come and Join us for Some

HANDS-ON PROJECT-BASED LEARNING.

Message from the CEO @PETAL et al.

When we created PETAL et al. in 2009 we had no idea as to what it would eventually evolve into. However, our ulterior goal was to help youth and adults who had an interest in working in the entertainment technology arts field and didn't have the resources or know-how to do so. The industry was growing, and there were many missing out. They didn't have the ability – for a myriad of reasons – to pursue their goals nor how to get started in pursuit of those goals. In that our (PETAL et al. founders) skills and experience were grounded in creativity, art, business, project management, leadership and technology, we decided to reach out to those interested and make it happen for them. And in a short period of time, we accomplished that goal. We have trained and prepared many people for this multi-billion dollar industry, and our future endeavor is to train many more through our effective hands-on workshops and immersive learning programs. Prior to investing our leadership skills into creating PETAL et al., I was involved in every aspect of creative technology and made certain that I was apprised in all the inner workings of an ever-changing industry. Along the way, professionally, I served in the capacity of IT Director, Web Designer and Developer, Graphic Designer, Videographer, Photographer, Video Editor, Art Director and Commercial Artist (not all at once) in various jobs over the years. For most of those years, my desire was always to make an innovative contribution to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of others. That desire and how to go about doing it remarkably came into play some seven years ago in a basement meeting in house where we taught several teenagers how to use computers and software to create from their stimulating ideas. We also had them participate in workshops with us to build their own computers.
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Our Statistics

2000

Download

300

Projects Done

400

Happy Clients

100

Awards Won

The Team

Clarence McMillan

With a background in art and film, McMillan brings a unique, discriminating eye to video and film development. He has produced numerous documentaries for non-profit organizations nationally and abroad, and is currently engaged in conceptual drawings and package design for video games, working with a technical and creative non-profit, and is working on a documentary with footage filmed in the Republic of Cameroon. He also documented the crumbling infrastructure of Jeremie, Haiti, prior to the devastating earthquake there. {More}

Anand Rao

Anand earned his Masters in Computer Engineering from Illinois Institute of technology in Chicago. Anand has been professionally involved in Software Development for the past 10 years mostly working on Java related technologies. He currently is an Associate Developer working for Chase Bank. His passions are travelling and cooking.

Nitin Khare

Holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and Finance. He has over ten years of industry experience in various technologies, including C++, Perl, Java, J2EE, Struts, Spring, shell scripting, Matlab, R, Linux, and MySql. Khare has an interest in a variety of computer games and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities. He spends leisure time playing soccer, cricket, badminton, swimming, chess, pool, tennis, and develops android based games. He has an undying love for computers, finance, and loves to solve puzzles.”

Juanita Bratcher

Juanita Bratcher is a veteran Award-Winning Journalist. Her Journalism career started in 1976, some 35 years ago, after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia College, Chicago. She is the published author of six books – “Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders”, a biography of John Herman Stroger, Jr.; “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor”, a book about Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago’s first black mayor; “I Cry For A People: In Their Struggle For Justice & Equality”, “Crooked Curves: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas”, “Love Me One More Time”, and “A Celebration of Love” {More}

Sonya Bratcher

Is a free-lance creative writer. She holds a Masters in Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. While in college, she also studied English and Creative Writing. During the last decade most of her time has been devoted to educating and raising awareness on the issue of family violence. In her spare time, she is a blogger and very talented free-lance creative writer.

Sylvia Franklin

Franklin has worked with David Milch (HBO’s DEADWOOD) as a participant in his drama writing workshops for television, she was also a 2002 Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Writing Fellow (also known as the Cosby Program). Further, she was also a 2004 finalist in the Disney-ABC Writing Fellowship, and a semi-finalist in the 2012 program. Franklin has also taken leadership roles in several organizations including the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) -- where she functioned as Chair of the Committee of Black Writers. {More}

Marjorie Anderson

Marjorie Allea Anderson is an Electrical Engineer. She is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) where she earned a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. She earned a Master’s of Art Degree in Inner City Studies Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Her varied professional experiences have enabled her to serve in various professional capacities, including instructional, developmental and administrative. {More}

We Are Everywhere!

About PETAL et al.

PETAL et al. is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides immersive learning programs, skills development and leadership training in entertainment technology arts. Our goal is to help create more opportunities for technology arts career seekers, and help them develop the skills necessary to get them there. We encourage and provide to those that have a passionate interest in the field with immersive learning opportunities, mentoring services, world class trainers, industry insiders and experts with track records in the industry.